Xenophobic Attacks: Don’t Come To Accra Now – Ghana Suspends President Ramaphosa Visit

July 07, () — Ghana has suspended the planned August visit of South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, over the ongoing wave of xenophobic attacks and anti-immigrant protests in South Africa, saying the worsening violence could overshadow high-level bilateral talks between the two countries.

The decision, announced on Tuesday by Ghana’s Communications Minister, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, marks a significant diplomatic rebuke of Pretoria’s handling of attacks on foreign nationals, which have triggered an exodus of thousands of migrants and heightened tensions across the continent.

Ofosu said the Ghanaian government had formally informed South Africa through diplomatic channels that it would be best to postpone the visit until the security situation improves.

“We sent a diplomatic communication to the South African government that we believe it is best to defer their visit”, the minister said in an interview with Joy FM.

The meeting, originally scheduled for August in Accra, was described by Ghana as a state visit by President Ramaphosa. South Africa, however, maintained that it was an official engagement centred on the Binational Commission on Cooperation between both countries.

Although he stressed that Ghana attaches great importance to its longstanding relations with South Africa, Ofosu said the continuing violence against foreign nationals would inevitably dominate discussions and undermine the objectives of the visit.

“We value the relationship we have with South Africa”, he said, adding that the recent attacks could “overshadow” the priorities of the planned engagement.

South Africa’s Presidency confirmed receiving Ghana’s request to postpone the Binational Commission meeting but said no detailed explanation accompanied the diplomatic communication.

The postponement comes amid weeks of anti-immigrant demonstrations across parts of South Africa, where protesters have accused undocumented migrants of taking jobs and placing pressure on public services. However, the violence has also spread to legally resident foreign nationals, with several documented migrants reportedly attacked despite possessing valid immigration status.

The unrest has forced thousands of foreigners to flee South Africa and reignited longstanding concerns about recurring xenophobic violence that has repeatedly strained Pretoria’s relations with other African countries.

While insisting that diplomatic ties between Ghana and South Africa remain cordial, Ofosu criticised the South African government for what he described as an inadequate response to the attacks.

“Our relations remain cordial”, he said, adding that “the South African government could have done more” to protect foreign nationals from violence.

Responding, a spokesperson for President Ramaphosa dismissed suggestions of a diplomatic rift, insisting there was no basis for tension between the two countries.

“We don’t believe there should be any tension whatsoever with Ghana”, the spokesperson told AFP, while accusing Ghana’s Foreign Ministry of engaging in what was described as “anti-South African rhetoric.”

The postponement represents one of the clearest diplomatic signals yet from an African government over the latest xenophobic crisis in South Africa and is expected to increase pressure on Pretoria to strengthen protection for migrants and address the social and economic challenges fuelling the violence.